For Immediate Release: January 11, 2023
Contact: Mike Sandmel, New Economy Project, mike@neweconomynyc.org
“In her State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul pronounced that ‘housing is a human right.’ Unfortunately, the housing plan she proposed is at odds with this important principle, relying on a discredited model of giveaways to large developers. To address glaring racial and economic disparities in housing throughout our state, New York must invest in deeply and permanently affordable social housing and guarantee strong protections for all tenants.
“Fortunately, New York can address the housing crisis by embracing bold solutions supported by community groups across the state. We urge the Governor and Legislature to enact the following critical legislation:
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, which enables residents to collectively purchase their buildings when they go up for sale, ensuring permanent affordability and community control.
Fair Taxation for Community Land Trusts Act, which removes barriers to community land trust development, critical to ensuring housing affordability and preventing displacement.
New York Public Banking Act, which empowers localities to create new vehicles for financing community-led affordable housing development, including in partnership with community development financial institutions.
Good Cause Eviction, which ensures critical legal protections to tenants throughout the state.”
The NYS Community Equity Agenda is a broad-based coalition of nearly 50 community, labor, legal services, civil rights, and cooperative organizations from across the state, fighting for economic democracy and racial justice in New York.